Hongzhou smiled apologetically, "The Imperial Noble Consort is also busy with the eldest prince's wedding, so she probably won't have time."
The Empress Dowager dismissed the matter, saying, "It's only June, and the wedding is still three or four months away. How busy could she be? Besides, the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites will handle everything; she doesn't need to worry about it!"
Despite his best efforts, the Empress Dowager remained unmoved. Frustrated, he resorted to threats, "Your Majesty, I sincerely request that you return to the palace. Please have pity on my filial piety and consider the Emperor's reputation, and come back with me."
Hongzhou patiently tried to persuade her with kind words, but the Empress Dowager remained expressionless.
"When Hongli drove me out of the palace, did he ever think this day would come? He disregarded our mother-son relationship and sent me to Changchun Garden, where I stayed for three years. Now that his son is married, he finally remembers me. I have suffered so much humiliation over the years, why should I care about his reputation?"
At this moment, Hongzhou finally understood why his elder brother was unwilling to come here. The Empress Dowager's accusations were unbearable for most people, and even Hongzhou felt his ears were ringing. He really wanted to leave, but remembering his elder brother's instructions, he could only force himself to stay.
“If you don’t return to the palace, then I will stay here with you.”
The Empress Dowager said indifferently, "If you want to stay, then stay. Changchun Garden is so big, it's up to you."
After saying goodbye to the Empress Dowager, she went into the West Warm Pavilion. Hongzhou had no choice but to ask Granny Mei for help, hoping she could persuade the Empress Dowager.
Granny Mei also wanted to mediate, but the Empress Dowager only had one condition: that the Imperial Noble Consort come over.
Hongzhou had no other choice but to send someone back to the palace with the news, while he continued to live in Changchun Garden, keeping the Empress Dowager company every day and keeping her entertained.
Several days passed, and the Empress Dowager had not returned. Su Yushan casually asked, "Where is Prince He? Has he and the Empress Dowager not returned yet?"
Speaking of this, Hongli became angry. "Someone came to report today that the Empress Dowager refuses to return and demands that you go to fetch her in person."
She was to be asked to pick her up? Su Yushan thought to herself: Is the Empress Dowager looking for an opportunity to humiliate her?
Although she was reluctant, she didn't refuse outwardly, and tentatively said, "How about I go?"
Hongli shook his head. "Even if you weren't pregnant, I wouldn't let you go. I can't be bothered to listen to her nagging, so why would I let you go and get yourself into trouble?"
Fortunately, he didn't intend for her to go. In fact, she didn't want to see the Empress Dowager either. "So what do you plan to do? Even Prince He can't persuade the Empress Dowager. This matter is going to be tricky."
Hongli wasn't too worried, because he believed that there was always a way out. "If you can't persuade him, then don't come back. Just stay there."
Hongzhou, who was watching a play in Changchun Garden, sneezed twice in a row. "Who's talking about me!"
The servant chuckled, "It's probably because the Princess Consort misses you and is thinking about you!"
"She'll miss me?" Hongzhou didn't believe it. "She'll just think the bed's bigger now, and she can sleep sideways!"
Hongzhou guessed that his elder brother would definitely not let the Imperial Noble Consort come over, and then he would have to make it difficult for him to explain to the Empress Dowager. What bad luck!
As expected, three days later, someone from the palace came to report. After hearing the report, Hongzhou was no longer worried, because the excuse given by his elder brother was excellent.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort also wishes to come and fetch you, but alas, she is pregnant and cannot travel a long distance, so she is truly unable to come!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was quite surprised. "She's pregnant? How many months along?"
Hongzhou replied, "I heard it's been three or four months! We need to be extra careful during this month."
It's been three or four months! And no one has reported anything to her. Are all the spies she planted in the palace dead?
Hongzhou seized the opportunity and advised, "You will soon be holding your grandson again. This is a great joy. You should hurry back to the palace."
Even if Su Yushan's child is a prince, he will have Han Chinese blood. The Empress Dowager does not consider this a happy event. The only happy event would be if another Manchu concubine became pregnant!
However, after calculating the dates, the Empress Dowager's gaze shifted, and she suddenly changed her mind.
"Fifth Prince! You've been keeping me company here for so long, you're more filial than the Emperor! Fine! I won't make things difficult for you, I'll go back to the palace with you tomorrow."
The Empress Dowager's sudden change of attitude secretly pleased Hongzhou. He didn't bother to investigate further, thinking that he had finally completed his mission and could go back to report to his elder brother!
Hongzhou's bringing the Empress Dowager back was indeed a meritorious deed, but he was already a prince and there was no further title to bestow. Therefore, Hongli decided to reward his son, Yongying, by making him the Duke of Zhenguo.
Hongzhou was quite pleased, thinking to himself that his elder brother was truly generous! If he could earn a title for his son, then listening to the Empress Dowager's nagging these past few days would have been worthwhile!
As soon as the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, Hongli had to pay his respects to her. It was only a matter of time, and he couldn't avoid it. So Hongli took Yushan with him to Cining Palace.
The reason for this arrangement was that Yu Shan also had to go. If she went alone, she might be ridiculed and made difficult by the Empress Dowager. That's why Hongli took her with him. If the Empress Dowager had any complaints, she could just vent them on him.
To Hongli's surprise, when he arrived at Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager did not scold him or say that he was unfilial. It was as if the unpleasant incident had never happened. It was as if she had just left the palace to recuperate and that there was no conflict between mother and son. She spoke to him as usual.
She didn't make things difficult for Yu Shan, but instead inquired about her pregnancy with concern.
Yu Shan answered calmly, a smile on her face, but she felt uneasy inside, sensing that something was wrong with the Empress Dowager's condition.
If the Empress Dowager has already come to terms with it, why was she still asking her to go to Changchun Garden a few days ago?
The current situation is probably all an act!
Fortunately, she had learned a lot of flattery during her years in the palace. It's all just hypocrisy, isn't it? Anyone can do that!
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